The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-01-06

NRAND ARMY OF THE kEPUBIIC,
e. A. X. HALL, Cor 9TH AND ID STs., n. w.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. Is. 1886.
To the Hon. Board of Managers, National Home
for Disabled Soldiers.
GENTLEMEN: Representing the Grand Army
OF the Republic Of the District of Columbia we
have the honor TO state 10 your Honorable
Board that, under the peculiar and anomalous
circumstances OF our location, our organization
in the District of Columbia is under an un-
usual, anomalous and grievous burden in the
matter of relieving and caring for the wards of
the Nation, the destitute and needy Union SOL
diers Of the war off the rebellion. Weare situated
at the seat OF Government of the United States
apoiut which. more than any other, is the focus
for the assembling OF all persons from all Sec
tions Of the country who have a grievance to be
redressed, want TO be supplied, a claim to be
pressed or charity to be crayed Our organiza-
tion. IN every Department or Post, in every
State, city. town and hamlet throughout our
broad Union. undertakes to relieve to the best
OF its ability, every needy and distressed CON-
rade and the widows aud orphans of those who
bore the brunt of the fight and have prema-
turely sunk into their graves under the weight
OF disabilities contracted in their noble, pa
triotic and selfSacriicing services for the Union
and the old flag. But the Department of the
Potomac, more than any other, is called upon
constantly TO contribute 70 the needs Of destitute
here from every State and Territory. Some are
looking after pensions long delayed, or bounties
which they think the Government still owes
them. Others are here to seek entrance, in
their broken-down old age in the National Asy-
lums for disabled soldiers or are enroute from
the Homes on furlough or discharge, or on re-
turn to them again after an absence marked only
with privations disconragements, distress, and
too often starvation. Still others, disabled for
life by wounds or disease, homeless and friend
less, are constant wanderers up aud down the
earth, content per force TO exist upon such
charities as may come in their way. As the
magnetized needle turns to the loadstone, so all
these classes turn to the doors of the Grand
Army Headquarters, sure Of one place at least
where the gnawiBg pangs Of hunger may be re-
lieycd and shelter from the pitiless night may
be found. As the year grows on apace, the
number Of these migratory pilgrims becomes a
multitude, and their demands upon the small
charities which small Department can afford,
mount up into an aggregate that would be ap-
palling IL contemplated in advance.
Beside these we have always in our midst n
large number Of soldiers and widows and
orphans of soldiers who by the chances Of
official mutations are thrown upon their own
resources, in q community where employments
are either unattainable or so unremunerative
as to be but the feeblest of barriers against the
wolf clamoring at their doors. These alone, if
half adequately relieved, would tax the relief
fund Of the Grand Army TO its utmost limit.
In these cases private contributions amount to
an aggregate which the public would find it
difficult TO realize, aud yet the demand upon
the Grand Army relief fund is far beyond its
capacity. Thus far. the present year, the Re-
lief Committees Of the Grand Army in this De-
partment has disbursed in temporary relief
alone 5000, and this while practicing the most
watchful economy. This disbursement does
not take into account 4 dollar contributed by
Posts or individuals When il is considered
that this amount of money israised by voluntary
contributions alone, it viii be readily seen,
not only what is the burdenSome nature OF the
tax upon small Department, but the difficult
ties constantly presented TO the Relief Com
mittee in the way OF providing adequate means
for even temporary and spasmoiic relief.
In view of the foregoing facts, and under the
belief that the whole people of the United
States, grateful for the past services OF these
veterans, would cheerfully bear their proper
tionate share Of the burdens of their relief.
we have determined upon a petition to
Congress for an appropriation of 5000, to
be placed with proper guards in the hands
OF the Commander and Relief Committee of
this Department to be expended in the
relief of worthy cases Of need during the
coming year. And we respectfully but earn
eStly appeal to your honorable Board whose
members know so well the main truths re-
cited above, 70 second our efforts in this direc-
tion. by formal resolution in favor of such
petition and such further showing of the
necessities OF the case rs may seem to you
necessary and proper. We appeal to you in this
behalf with the more confidence because we
know that many of the States furnish by law
similar aid to their home Departments of the
Grand Army of the Republic; while the Dis
trict OF Columbia, belonging to the whole
country and being the resort of migatOry vet
Grams of the whole country, il would seem but
just and appropriate that the whole country
should join, through Congress- in aiding the
Oyerburdened Department of the Potomac.
We further respectfully represent that in view
Of the fact that many Of the above mentioned
migratory veterans, rs well as many ofthose resi-
dent here, die in circumstances rendering il ne
eesSary for the expensesOf burial 20 be betrayed
either ut the public charge or by private contri-
buttons, there should DC some provision of law
authorizing the Depot Quartermaster, u. s A.. at
Washington, ID. C.. TO pay the expenses of digging
graves at Arlington for such deceased veteran
soldiers dying without means for burial, and
10 furnish transportation and burial expenses
not exceeding specified reasonable amount
say $50 in each case. We earnestly ask your
careful consideration OF this humane and charit-
able proposition.
We further respectfully ask Of you whether il
would not be wise to effect under the sanction
OF law an arrangement by which the Com
mander OF the Department Of the Potomac G.
AR. might furnish transportation and cards OF
admission. at least temporarily TO worthy ap-
plicants for refuge in the Soldiers Home near
Washington.
Respectfully submitted,
JEROME b. BURKE, Commander Department
Potomac, GAR
w. 5. 0DELL Senior Vice Department Com.
mander, GAR.
HANsE III. SMITH, Junior Vice Department
Commander, GAR